ℳ𝓎 𝒮𝓉𝓇ℯℯ𝓉 ℱ𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉ℯ𝓇 ꨄ 𝒮ℴ𝓁ℴ 𝒮𝒾𝓀ℴ𝒶 𝒮𝓉ℴ𝓇𝓎

𝓈ℯ𝓋ℯ𝓃𝓉ℯℯ𝓃

I immediately stopped in my tracks.

"What is she doing here?" My voice trembles. I felt the pace of my heartbeat grow rapidly. I felt like my lungs were slowly closing up on me. I swallowed hard, hoping that this nauseous feeling that was rising upon me will go away, but it didn't. If anything, it grew.

"Sweetie, it's okay. I had a long talk with her-"

"No. No no no dad you d-don't understand." I stutter. The woman looks at me.

"Novalie. Breathe. She is different-"

"No! No she isn't! How she was back then will never change! I can't even look at her in the eye and believe that she's my mother...." My voice was trembling so hard. I felt like I couldn't breathe.

"Novalie. I understand how you feel that way about me. I was a horrible mother-"

"You weren't a mother! You weren't even close to being a mother! You were a monster. A hypocrite! An egotistical asshole! No one should be treated like the way that you treated me!"

The tears that were slowly gathering were now pouring out. I was infuriated. I was angry. Raged.

"Novalie... let's just go." Joseph said, placing his hand softly on my shoulder. I shook my head and shoved his hand off of me.

"Why dad? What in the right mind made you think bringing her here was a good idea? That's stupid dad! Just stupid! You don't know how much she hurt me! Her and Noah. You were never home! I would wake up every morning hoping I could just fall back asleep and never wake up. Jon and Josh had to deal with my emotional and beat up self every single day at school! You don't fucking understand!" I cried out. My dads head was lowered with pity.

"Novalie, I never meant-"

"Susan, I don't think Nova is ready to talk any time soon. It would be best if you just left her alone." Josh said, stepping up next to me and backing me up. I looked up and Josh, then at Jon. They both looked mad. She was the reason that their best friend was in so much pain.

My mom just stood there silent. What made me furious is that she shot glances at the boys a lot. And they didn't look friendly.

"C'mon, let's go." Joe said in a low, quiet voice. I shot my mom a glare before we turned around and headed back. As soon as we were out of sight, I broke down in ugly sobs.

Joseph immediately pulled me to him, hugging me close. I wasn't able to speak a single word. I was crying too much. I felt bad for him to deal with my family drama. Same with the others 3 guys.

Joseph didn't say a word the whole way back to the hotel. He knew that whatever he said, and however he said it wouldn't help me right now. Jon stayed right by my side as well, rubbing my back slowly. Joe and Josh distanced themselves, not wanting to make me feel more overwhelmed than I already was.

We made our way to the hotel, and the twins and Joe went their separate ways. Joseph wanted to walk me up to my room. I entered the room and went straight to the bed, laying down and crying even more. Joseph closed the door behind him and slowly walked over to me. He hated seeing me in this state.

"I hate her! I just hate her!" I cried, smearing my mascara all over my face. Joseph sat down by me, pulling me into his hold. I cried even more, holding him close to me. His hand slowly rubbed my back gently. He placed a soft kiss on my head, just letting me cry into his arms.

We stayed there for about 10 minutes. I found out that me being in his arms calmed me down faster than I thought I would. I never want him to leave. I want him to stay here.

"J-Joseph?" I asked, barely above a whisper.

"Hm?" He hummed, not letting go of me.

"Can you stay here tonight? Please. I need you."